If you are planning to sell your home, you may wonder if a sepsis test is necessary. Fortunately, this is not an unknown territory. More than one relies on purification systems on five US homes, and in places like New Hampshire and Maine, more than half of every home is connected to one. Houses with cleansing systems are bought and sold daily. The key is to know how to prepare. It starts with understanding the inspection process. This Redfin guide covers in and out here.
What is a septic tank?
A septic tank inspection is a professional assessment of your home’s septic system and ensures it works properly and meets local health and safety standards. During inspection, the authorized inspector will evaluate key components such as septic tanks, distribution boxes, and drain fields. They look for signs of damage, leaks, blockages, or system failure. Inspectors can also check sludge levels and pump tanks to ensure that wastewater is flowing and filtering properly. This test is often necessary or highly recommended during home sales, especially in areas where purification systems are common.
What is a purification system?
A purification system is a type of wastewater treatment and disposal system that is commonly used in areas where public sewage systems are not available. These are usually areas in the country, suburbs, or urban suburbs.
There are different types of purification systems depending on factors such as which part of the country you live in, the type of soil you are in, the specific body of water in your home, and how close you are to the slopes of your property.
A purification system usually consists of watertight tanks that begin a journey where raw wastewater (think toilets, showers, sinks) is disposed of from the home. These large tanks are buried underground and can be accessed by a cover called a riser.
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Why is purification system testing important?
Inspection of your purification system is important as it ensures that the system is functioning properly and does not cause costly problems for buyers and sellers during home sales. Undiscovered issues such as leaks, blockages, or failures in the drainage field can lead to major repairs, reduced property value, or delays in the closure process. Many buyers, and some lenders, require a clean inspection report before moving forward. Identifying and dealing with the issue early will allow sellers to avoid last minute surprises and show that the home is well maintained.
Types of septic tank inspections
There are several types of sepsis testing, each providing a different level of detail depending on the situation and local requirements. The breakdown of the most common types is as follows:
1. Regular septic tank inspections
Usually, routine inspections are performed as part of continuous maintenance. This includes visual checking of system status, reviewing maintenance records, and assessment of key components such as septic tanks, distribution boxes, and reach fields.
Inspectors will also check for signs of trouble, such as water, flooded soil, or system alarms not working. These inspections will help ensure that your system is operating properly and help you catch early issues before they cost you.
2. Sales Cleaning Route Inspection
This test is necessary or highly recommended when selling a home with a purification system. This is a more thorough and time-of-day period than a daily check. Inspectors will find, discover, pump, examine their condition and perform staining tests to ensure that wastewater is efficiently moved from the home through the system. This test will help you ensure that your cleanup system is in compliance with local health regulations and is functioning correctly. This is an essential step for smooth real estate transactions.
3. Level 3 or Engineering Septic Tank Inspection
Level 3 tests combine visual, open and pumped tests with additional assessments such as soil permeation testing and site engineering reviews. This type is usually necessary in complex situations, such as new construction, system redesign, or when major septic tank problems are suspected.
What a cleansing room inspector asks during the inspection
During a sepsis test, experts assess several key factors to determine whether the system is functioning safely and efficiently. One of the first things they evaluate is the age of the system and the last pumped date. This will help you estimate how full the tank is. Septic tanks usually need to be pumped every two years.
The inspector will also ask how many people currently live in the home. The number of residents affects how much wastewater the system needs to be treated and whether the tank is properly sized. Large households may require large tanks to prevent overload.
Inspectors may perform sewer ranges or similar tests to determine sludge levels. If the sludge accounts for more than one-third of the tank’s volume, the tank must be pumped up. They also examine the riser, the lid on the ground, to ensure that they are unharmed and safe. Cracked or loose lids can put groundwater into the system or allow wastewater to leak.
Another important step is to check for water tension in the tank. It is important that groundwater is not infiltrated and wastewater is not escaping to the surrounding soil. Finally, the inspector will look into the drainage field to ensure that there are no trees, wells, or streams nearby, as roots and water sources can damage the lateral lines of the system.
Always keep a record of your septic tank inspection and pumping history to keep track of maintenance and avoid expensive repairs.
How often do I need to get a sepsis test?
Care for a purification system is not complicated or difficult. The best way to ensure that your system is in peak operating conditions is to be inspected by a septic tank specialist at least every 3-4 years. Yes, you need to inspect your purification system when you decide it’s time to sell.
Frequently inspecting your purification system allows you to be familiar with the problems your system is facing, or you can catch and fix the problems before they become a problem.
5 Signs of Septic Tank Problems and When Septic Tank Testing is Needed
There are common signs that the septic tank is not functioning properly.
There is wastewater that will return to your home through your sink or toilet. You can hear purring noises coming from the plumbing of your house, or observe the bathtub and sinking slower than usual. There is a damp area or water standing near the tank or near the drain. In dry weather, bright green grass grows on top of tanks or drainage fields. Sniff the sewage smell around the area of the septic tank or outside the drainage channel.
Failed purification systems are dangerous to human and animal health. Owners should respond promptly by being aware of potential purification system failures and contacting a cleaning system expert to perform inspections to determine the nature and severity of the problem.
5 Reasons Why Cleaning Systems Don’t Work properly
Once the purification system is properly designed and installed and in the right place, it is up to you to maintain it. Here are some reasons why your system may not function properly:
Place toilet tissue and non-human waste items in the drain. Dispose of everything except the toilet organization and dispose in the trash can. Allow vehicle traffic (or livestock) on the tanks and lines. Know where the system is, including the drain field, and prevent traffic and livestock from damaging components or compressing the soil surrounding the system. Pour the chemical into the drain to open the clog. Instead, always try snakes and hot water. If that doesn’t work, contact a cleaning system specialist. Pour cooking grease or oil into the drain. Instead, they cool and harden and then put them in the trash. Use frequently to dispose of garbage. Instead, composting what you can and throwing the remaining kitchen waste into the garbage.
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Septic tank inspection FAQ
1. How much does it cost to inspect a septic tank?
The cost of getting a sepsis test depends on the size of the tank and how extensive the test is. Basic tests usually range from $350 to $650, depending on where you live. Note that to inspect the tank, you must first pump it. This is usually included in the prices listed above.
2. How long does it take to inspect a septic tank?
Septic tank inspections can take from 1 to 3 hours depending on how detailed the system is and whether the problem is found. This includes pre-pump inspections, pumps, and inspections completed after the tank is pumped.
4. How do you prepare for a sepsis test?
Collect and share records of past inspections and pumping with inspectors. Do not pump tanks before visiting. You can hide signs of a system problem.
5. If the purification system needs repairs, who will pay it, buyer or seller?
Repairing purification systems is usually the responsibility of the seller, but like any other inspection-related issue, they are negotiable. Sellers may choose to complete repairs, provide credit upon closing, or leave it to the buyer, depending on the market situation. To avoid surprises, sellers can obtain pre-certification for cleansing before listing their homes. This will help you identify and address issues in advance, making your home more attractive to buyers.
6. How long will the purification system last?
Cleansing systems usually last 20-30 years with proper maintenance. However, insufficient maintenance costs, such as skipping inspections, overloading the system, or causing damage to vehicles and tree roots, can significantly reduce lifespans. Regular care is key to maximizing your life expectancy.
7. Is it difficult to sell a house with a purification system?
Are you worried about selling your home with a purification system? Please don’t. Remember that homes with cleansing systems currently account for around 20% of all homes in the United States. So, unless your system is at the end of its lifespan or has not been maintained and failed, there should be no concerns about selling your home.
8. Can I sell my home with a failed purification system?
It depends on where you live. Some states have banned selling homes with failed cleanup systems. In areas where the request is permitted, you should lower the asking price and provide a repair estimate. If the buyer is using a mortgage, the lender must prove that the system has been fixed prior to closing. Always check with your real estate agent for local requirements.
